tale as old as time...

I love a handmade gift, and this new one has joined the other heirlooms that hang on the branches of our family tree. This is Laura's first attempt at wood burning and I love the result. She knows our love story, and I think it is beautiful that she celebrates it. 

: :

This summer, twenty-seven years after our wedding dance, he spun me in his arms again to Beauty and the Beast... this time under the stunning chandelier in the Grand Floridian Hotel. We were one monorail stop away from his 50th birthday dinner, just sipping on an icy beverage, enjoying the jazz band play when we heard those first few notes of our song. He knew he couldn't refuse...

The atrium of the Grand Floridian is beyond lovely, the way the way the ceiling almost touches the sky, and the railings run the edges like lace. It feels as magical as Cinderella's Castle, and each exquisite detail feels like a dream. Of course, being in his arms is my dream... and I'm wide awake.

life lately...

The words having been coming and going over the last few weeks. They swirl up in my mind and start to form a story, and my procrastination sends them packing. For someone who has decided to make this year more creative, this brings a little disappointment in myself. But then the reminder comes... grace not perfection. And, of course, today is a new day.

1. Over the last couple of years whenever we see someone fishing, I tell Eric
I have never caught a fish!
Last October he bought me a little pink fishing rod, but we had no luck.
We decided to try again on a recent Saturday, and on my first cast,
that little pink fishing rod went flying right into the pond. Oops.
But then... I caught a fish! It was pretty exciting!
And now I need a new to find something new to "complain" about!

2. Laura had her 26th birthday mid-month, and though we were not together,
our gifts to her arrived on time! We were thrilled that she had a night out with friends,
and then treated herself to a day at a museum to see the Pixar exhibit she had been excited to see.
I'd post a better photo, but... this is all I have!

3. This month has had me stalling.
It seems the consensus is that January has been dragging on,
but for me, it has been blur. I finally had to make a plan
and get myself back on track to win the last ten days...
and so far I am definitely I AM! 

4. & 5. The weather has been glorious... cool days and warm sunshine!
We took a trip to our favorite farm and admired the sunflowers, and picked
three baskets of strawberries. Maybe we'll get another trip in while the berries are deep red.

6. Do you save your Christmas cards?
I cannot toss them... those precious photos are just a blink of time.
I'm almost done organizing them on metal rings
so I can flip through them from year to year.

7. My office mate is the best! What a welcome to the weekend!

8. Last year the Sunshine State steak cook-off lacked the sun and soaked us.
But this year there was no shortage of sun or steak or fun with friends!

9. We got a walk in last night... down safari road and to the boardwalk. 

It's never the same, but always beautiful... and typically just what I need. 

life lately... the christmas edition

If December is my favorite {and it is}, Christmas is the cherry on top of the most delicious sundae, making it picture perfect. I worked hard to be prepared for the season... wanting to leave time to just enjoy the beauty. Laura's gifts were off to Colorado in plenty of time, and I finished up my shopping at the gift card kiosk at the grocery store. I was just about ready for Christmas when I felt the first signs of bronchitis in my chest - I just had a little baking I wanted to do. I was finally ready to try my hand at some gluten-free cookies for the one I love. I pushed myself until I couldn't... and then slept through the three days before Christmas Eve. But there was no way I was missing out on the most fun day of the entire year - I would rise to the occasion! 1. Christmas enrichment for the animals at the zoo! I love this time of year! 

At one point I mentioned to my boss that sometimes companies come to
volunteer at the zoo - and she loved the idea so much
that we turned it into our Christmas party.
I loved sharing my zoo job {and my Mom!} with my co-workers!

2. I made the gluten-free gingerbread cookies the Monday before Christmas,
and finally decorated them the day after. I was pleased with the taste and texture -
and Eric was thrilled! A few days later I attempted a thumbprint cookie and it was delicious!

3. This little guy hawks his newspaper every December, faithfully. He is one of my favorite
 Village People... reminding me of Newsies. The Christmas village brings me so much joy...

4. He sang A Soldier's King in church. His voice goes straight to my heart.

5. The tree! We purchased a new one in October, I set it up to check the lights...
and I've been enjoying it ever since. It might come down this weekend...
but I'm not making any promises.

6. Christmas Eve! I made it and the day was full of fun and laughter.
We waited for Camden to finish work before we started the saran wrap ball -
but that may have been a mistake! He really got lucky and every time it was his turn
he seemed to unroll a few layers, while some of us couldn't even find an end...

7. It is perhaps my favorite gift.
Eric loves to find something special for the three of us -
and these ice cream cone blankets are as soft as they are adorable.
Cozied up with my Mom & sister made the moment perfect. 

8. Christmas Legos. May there never be a Christmas without them...

9. Laura stayed in Colorado for the holidays, and while I missed her being here,
I was thankful she was invited to Eric's cousin's house.
She had a blast, and Erica sent me some photos during the day.
That smile on her face made it all okay for me. 

I hope your holidays were magical and full of light!

seeking beauty along the way... always

The back pocket of my jeans, the side pocket of my running pants, or just tucked into my wristlet... I hate to be without my phone. Leaving my phone behind means no camera... and usually, there will be something I feed the need to photograph. For years, any new purse purchase was concretely based upon its ability to tote my small point & shoot camera - because I became dedicated to capturing the ordinary every day moments of life. The grocery store, the park, a day out with friends... there is sure to be moment or an object my heart longs to capture. Now, of course, all I need is that handy phone...

I walk, I look, I see, I stop, I photograph. 

- Leon Levinstein

Its just... me. 

Why? Because no one is exaggerating when they say it all goes by in the blink of an eye, and if I cannot capture the sound of the laughter in the backseat, maybe I can freeze the moment in time. And when the beauty of nature speaks to my heart and soul, I can click the shutter, and revisit the colors and the journey of the day. I want to live without regret, and if slipping my phone out of my pocket to take the picture helps me imprint the vision on my heart, I will do so unapologetically.